Amazed, happy tears found it's way to their eyes. It felt a sight to cherish and celebrate by eliminating the worries at instant.

The sight of the newlyweds in their grandeur clothing adorned with garlands and all signs of being ritually married was just worth watching for the duo and the sight of the baby cooing more into his father's arms was something more, adding a charm.

As all made their way out, grasped at the view and the brothers waited for their eldest to take the lead.

"Kya hua Anirudh? Abb toh kush ho na? Muje apni galthi ka ehsaas hua aur dekh meine sudhar bhi li apni galathi, sach mein ek samai hotha jab bade hone ke nathe mein apni bache ko raah dikharaha tha par abb dekh.. meri hi bache ne muje sahi raah dikharahe,  meri kushiyon ka karaan ban rahe hai." Holding his baby more close to him, Zamindaar said eyeing Bondita and his nephew.

As his kaka conveyed gratitude through his eyes, in no time Anirudh had figured out the cause. It was her, his Bondita, it was no wonder for him as it had always been her the reason for his happiness in life. In split second, his eyes sparkled in admiration but instantly enfolded reminding himself of being the wrongdoer and his decision.

Promptly he hugged his kaka revealing his satisfaction and contentment who was later followed by his brothers and at last it was Bondita's turn.

"Mein aap ke liye bahut bahut kush hoon" she said being excited.

"Toh kya sirf kush hi rahogi yah humari bahu humari aarthi bhi karegi?" Raising brows her kaka sasoorji spoke as emotions overpowered he failed to recall the bitter past of his sweet daughter-in-law.

"Abi ayee!" Grinning widely she ran to prepare for their veneration.

Two faces clearly exhibited their discomfort, Anirudh found it a chance to make her upset but as he was about to work it out. He heared him.

"Kaka, aap bhool gaye shayad Bondita na hi dada ki patni aur na hi aapki bahu. Woh iss gar ki sadhasiya bhi nahi kyunki uska rishta tut chuka hai dada se, toh phir kyun keh rahe hain app ussey?" Veer spoke out of extreme annoyance.

Bondita's steps halted hearing about their anulement, for once both had locked their eyes trying to reveal and resist their feelings at the same time. They were indeed beautiful days which turned to be soothing medicine for their present wounds. No doubt it had pained them, they continued to stare being reticent.

"Chup, bilkul chup. Tum nahi janthe, inn dono ke bare me aur inn dono ki rishtey ke bare me. Bale hi inn dono ne apna rishta todaa par kabhi ek doosre ka sath nahi choda, yese hai inka pavithra mann ka rishta aur mere liye tho Anirudh Bondita ek hai, toh iska matlab Bondita humare parivar huye na." His kaka spoke making Veer frown with disgust.

With smile performing veneration, Bondita welcomed the newly weds. Soon all departed to their rooms including Rajeev and Neelima who was helped by Bihari on orders of Anirudh.

As Anirudh was leaving felt a tug at his hand, on turning noticed her restless eyes with many questions. Separating his hand he raised his brows to which worriedly she began "Kya hua sakha babu aapko? Jab aap hi muje joot na bolne ki Sikh dhi abb app hi Mujse joot kyun bolrahe hai? Mujse door kyun bhag rahe hai? Mujse kuch galthi huye kya? Kuch hua kya batayeye na, agar koi pareshani hai toh batayeye hum milkar teek karenge humesha ki tarah."

Battling his emotions he yelled on top of his voice "Kyun? Muje kudhki zindagi nahi hai kya? Subah, dopaher, sham, rath humesha tumhare bare mein hi sochne ka, kayal rakne ka kaam hai kya? Muje bhi sab ki tarah apne liye jeena hai kush rehna hai issliye meine faisla le liya abb toh tumme kudh ki parivar hai na woh kayal rakenge tumari toh abb se mujse door rehna kyunki abb mein tumse door rehna chahtha hoon aur kudh ki baare me sochna chahtha hoon."

With that he stormed out leaving her baffled behind, though startled, puzzled, disheartened with flooded eyes "Aap mere bagwan hai aur bagwan kudh ke bare me kabhi nahi sochthe, mein janthi hoon aapki koi majboori hai. Koi bath nahi mein aapki faisla ko bhi adhar karungi kyun ki bharosa hai muje aap par, mere sakha babu kabhi galath nahi ho sakthe. Mushkil hi sahi par jab tak aap nahi kahenge tab tak aapke pass nahi aoungi."

Unable to withstand her tears, he was undoubtedly harsh, he felt sinned for hurting her pure soul, he felt himself heartless and responsible for her plight, with that continued his walk where his legs took him. Being totally unaware he reached their spot, noticing it smile appeared on his lips.

As he sat himself down immersed in her thoughts, oberseving him at such odd hour a passerby asked "adhe raat me akele yahan kya karrahe ho beta?"

Retrieving himself he stammered "kuch nahi kaka, bechain tha toh bas kuli hawa ke liye.." interrupting him with his loud laugh "jahan Koya wahan hi payega. Apni sukoon ke pass laut jaou, chain avashya milega. Jaldh laut jaou beta patni intezaar karthi hogi." saying it, the passerby left reminding her again.

He chuckled hearing him as it was truth, she was his peace but at present he was helpless, at once the day flashed before him.

Out of grief, pain and helplessness unconsciously he laid on her and snuggled into her seeking relief in her embrace, he felt himself sheathed from all worries. His smile widened when he remembered her kiss though they exchanged forehead pecks it was the first time she herself initiating and no wonder he felt bliss. There was nothing romantic or sensuous about it, but it helped him to cure. Though all these were strictly against his principles he could not hide the fact that her single kiss evaded his pain, her warmth had helped him to heal, her words gave him the courage to fight back.

As a matter of fact it was truth, she was all he needed everytime and everyday. Now masking his emotions distancing himself from her, he felt hurt all he wanted was to melt in her embrace again and again. Though his impulsive decision had refrained him in doing so, deeply wanting to feel her he felt the cool breeze with open hands as he sat with legs little wide.

Out of sudden he heared her giggling with hands on mouth and her stomach, being startled he rubbed his eyes for realization but then saw her approaching him. Unable to fathom more as he watched her with open eyes she stunned him by sitting on one of his leg, facing him she wrapped her hands around his neck and tried to snuggle into him instantly he responded by caressing her head and cheek with his hands. He felt light hearted.

As he was savouring the moment by feeling her, he heared her whispering into his ears "Kya laga aapko mein samajthi nahi kya apni sakha babu ko? Muje patha hai ki mere sakha babu ko mere zaroorat hai aur aap mujse door kaise ja sakthe jab mein yahan aapke dil me hi toh rehthi hoon. Bas itna jaan lijiye mein janthi hoon aap kabhi galath nahi ho sakthe toh mein aapki iss nirnay ka bhi adhar karthi hoon aur humesha ki tarah aapke sath hoon aapke har faisla mein. Bas aap woh kare joh sach aur acha hai yese hi aapke sath rahegi aapki bondita." Surprising him, she slowly cupped his face and kissed his forehead and moving down also pecked his both cheeks slowly one by one, therefore boosting him for everything he believed also alienating his grief.

Relief took over when he heared her believing him in this too but as he was about to respond another cool breeze bought him back to reality. These dreams were no stranger it had become his friend in his solitary.  Though it was a mere dream, he relished it  heartfully and reluctantly left back.

Their ties had been strengthened to such extent that before them knowing they had began to acknowledge, hear each other's heart and respond similarly. Their realtion had transcended all boundaries.

It was tiring afternoon, though the lunch break had started long back she left hers untouched and sat gloomily. Though his distance hurt her, her respect and affection for him gave her the tolerance to be distanced from him and his care.

"Surprised to see an Indian village girl at school, also her communicating in English is something amaze, miss elfin." said her British stranger.

"Indeed, Hindustaan is full of surprises. Expect the unexpected as my Hindustan has many more for you to be surprised for." She replied boldly holding proud for her country with a grin.

"No wonder, I assume too." He smirked.

"Who and what are you? Why are you here? We met but never knew each other's name strangely and why do you call me so? She barged her questions on him.

Chuckling, "so many questions in one go... so to answer, first I am William Almack, a British soldier working for the Governor general and my country, next I am assigned duty here due to his visit next I call you so because you are such... like a free bird among the caged, unusual, different from others." He replied with much fondness.

Again, as usual they retreated back to their work hearing the bell but not before she handing her lunch again to him and him joyfully accepting it.

Days turned to weeks but his coldness and her endurance seemed to be unchanged. It worried others, it seemed outlandish while they pretended to be least bothered.

Her visits to haveli continued but restricted to meet only few though secretly never missed to glance him furthermore even he found ways to have a look at her and care her discreetly.

Unknown to the world, they fought their own battles of separation. One for her life while the other for his happiness and no doubt it required them strenuous effort which they tried to triumph.

Both never missed the evening classes as it was the only time they got to see each other without any hesitation. It was through these classes she got to know of Neelima too, that though being bought up in a well to do family under unavoidable circumstances, at present is under his assistance.

In these days, she had spot them sharing conversations happily, having her favourite kulfi, sometimes saw them riding to places also through Batuk she came to know about their spending time and growing closeness. Shrugging off her thoughts everytime, though it left her unsettled, it was clearly not envy but the thought of someone else being the reason of her sakha babu's happiness had hurt her to core.

She felt inevitable pain, first his distance second the reason for his happiness as she thought it was always her, her right to make him happy. But convinced herself as his happiness  matters more, more than she being the reason. If he would be happy without her, though unbelievable she was determined to stay away from him even her lifetime as for her, it had always been him and his happiness above all even above her. She could hurt herself to any extent for his happiness and decision.

Another unusual had become a routine to both the Roy Choudary's and the Chakraborthy's, it was the chau nirtya natak on Sunday evenings (village drama composed with art) they explored various folk tales, certainly it had many filmophiles as it portrayed their rich traditions in an interesting, attracting dramatic way. And obviously the two renouned families were treated majestically and specially by the performers though he had no interest for such things it remained the only option to get an eyeful sight of his sakhi so he made sure he never missed it and the feeling and option was mutual.

On one such full moon Sunday evening, as the performers portraying their act, both stole glance of each at times unknown to them, after few minutes she saw him withdrawing and it was just few minutes she noticed Neelima too retreating in the same direction, the way leading to the haveli. Being perplexed, suspicious, feared about apprehensions about him, she too followed them.

As she was about to enter, it was dark but the sight infront shook her, she felt astound on seeing them embracing each other with no space in between as if their lives depended on it, their cheeks caressing each other, his hand fondling her hair and waist passionately while her hand brushing his hair and clasping his upper back intensely, it felt different for her though she had hugged him many times it did not seem their usual hug, this hug felt totally contrasting for her, his back was facing her and Neelima's merry and satisfied face did not go unnoticed by her. It was beyond belief for her as she saw them neglecting the world while they rested themselves in each other's embrace. It reminded her the book cover of the famous novel 'Romeo Juliet' which she avoided to read on the advice of her sakha babu.

As the couple cherished their sensuous hug happily, with tears brimming and clouding her eyes being bewildered and thunderbolt many questions arose in her tender, curious and naive mind with that as she took her steps back only to get collided with...

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Sorry for the delay, met with an accident so was not allowed to use phone.

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